Not only is Safety Net Sanctuary home to senior and special needs farm animals, but it also is an animal rescue that provides a home for lost pets until their owners can be found. For pets that are unclaimed, Safety Net will give them a place to live until they are adopted.

The rescue, based in Fleetwood, is the animal control service responsible for handling 30 municipalities in Berks County, including Birdsboro and Caernarvon Township. When someone from those areas finds a stray domestic animal, they can call Safety Net to take custody of the animal.

"Right now, it is really busy," said Lisa Poper, president, who founded Safety Net in 2014. "It's warmer and people have their dogs out, and they take off." The rescue will also take in cats that are collared and microchipped.

When the pet parents are located, they must provide proof of ownership in order to reclaim their pet. If the owners cannot be found, animals will remain at Safety Net's 12-acre farm until they are adopted.

"We are a no-kill shelter. We do the best we can to find homes (for the unclaimed animals). They stay with us as long as they need to," Poper said, adding, "Stray dogs are difficult to adopt out because there is no history. You don't know if they like kids or they bite. Our dogs sit a bit longer than a typical rescue."

Current animals up for adoption are Molly and Dennis, who were both unclaimed strays and have been at the sanctuary for nearly a year. Molly is a 4-year-old husky who is well-behaved and good with other dogs. Dennis is 3-year-old pitbull mix who enjoy walks and is good with other dogs, but not cats.

Rescued farm animals are also available for adoption. "We have horses, goats and potbellied pigs and (dogs, including) German shepherds, huskies, pitties and chihuahuas," Poper noted.

Those who want to adopt an animal must complete an application and pay a fee. All adopted animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

Safety Net is always in need of foster families that are willing to care for dogs in their homes until permanent adopters can be found. Especially needed are those willing to foster larger dogs. "We do a home check and make sure (the foster's personal) pets are spayed and neutered," said Poper. "We supply food and vet care. They are just caring for the dog and socializing him until we can get him into a home."

The rescue is also in need of donations of pet food, animal care products, blankets and towels, as well as monetary donations.

Poper, who works full time as a nurse and is a licensed humane officer, said being able to rescue animals has been a lifelong goal.

"When I was little, we always had animals ... and I was always bringing strays home," she stated. "(Safety Net Sanctuary) started small, and it started to grow and grow. We just want to get (the pets) to a good home."

To learn more about Safety Net Sanctuary or to view adoptable pets, visit http://www.facebook.com/safetynetsanctuary. Those with questions, prospective fosters and people who want to donate items may call 610-944-8099 or email allaboutus0909@gmail.com.